CRICKET 2011
Played 14; Won 4; Lost 7; Drawn 3; Cancelled 2
Sunday May 15, v Haileybury Hermits, at Haileybury – cancelled
Sunday May 22, v Marlborough Blues, at Marlborough – lost by 89 runs
Marlborough Blues 334-6 (A C R Bush 134, E R Kilbee 52); Pilgrims 245 (O J D Kelly 87, C A R Esson 51).
Charlie Clifton lost the toss and was asked to field. Henry Lamb and Nick Southwell were given the fresh nut, the latter with the arduous task of running into gale force winds. Southwell displaced one of the openers with a floating ball that trapped the batsman on the bottom of the pads. In spite of the tireless Southwell picking up the initial two wickets, Lamb must be commended on his tight bowling which continued to build pressure at the other end.
After an early wobble from Marlborough, their batsman found their feet and began putting the Pilgrims to the sword with boundaries coming all too easily. Ed Kilbee showed signs of his devastating ability by swiping sixes and fours before retiring at 50. Regardless of some poor fielding, the Pilgrims worked hard to stay alert and keep the batsmen under pressure. Bush scored a hard-fought century, though it was not the prettiest of innings. Eventually after a long 50 overs, lunch was called with Marlborough amassing 334 for six, a score that was chase-able given the conditions and size of ground.
The Pilgrims got off to a great start with the ever reliable Charlie Esson scoring yet another half-century. He was dismissed for 51 but Olly Kelly steadied the ship at the other end with a very impressive and patient knock of 87. Charlie Cooke made a solid start but was unfortunately out for 29, just as the Pilgrims were beginning to gather momentum. The Pilgrims were eventually bowled out in 44 overs for 245.
Sunday June 12, Cricketer Cup first round, v Downside Wanderers, at Sherborne − no play, rain
Sunday June 19, Cricketer Cup first round replay, v Downside Wanderers, at Downside − won, match forfeited
Downside were unable to raise a side for the rescheduled match, having already organised a tour to Paris; they therefore forfeited the match.
Sunday June 26, Cricketer Cup second round v Repton Pilgrims, at Repton – won by 14 runs
Pilgrims 199-7 (E R S Kelly 56 not out); Repton Pilgrims 188-8
At about 6.15pm at the end of a gloriously hot summer’s day, Sherborne Pilgrims completed an extraordinary fightback to secure a pulsating victory over a full-strength Repton side for whom victory for much of the match appeared a foregone conclusion. Repton were, though, firstly taken aback by an attacking rearguard stand and then disintegrated in the face of fierce pressure exerted upon them by the unrelenting accuracy of the bowlers backed up by an utterly committed and virtually error-free fielding performance.
Upon our arrival there was kindly distributed by our hosts a potted history enumerating the successes of Repton Pilgrims in the Cricketer Cup (played 106, won 64, lost 42, won 2 finals, lost 3 finals) and in particular their past successes against Sherborne Pilgrims (played 3, won 3).
Sherborne lost the toss on what was initially a damp pitch giving some help to the bowlers. It was felt that if the first hour could be negotiated, batting conditions would ease and that a par score might be around 230-240. In the fourth over with the score on 15, Ed Atkins went mistiming a drive into mid-on’s hands. Theo Cooke (making his debut for the Pilgrims having left the School last year) fought on tenaciously and together with Charlie Esson stabilised the innings until in the tenth over, with the score on 31, he was caught behind cutting.
There then followed a stand of 40 between Esson and Charlie Cooke with both of them stroking the ball well. It was a blow when Cooke departed, bowled for 28 hard-fought runs in the 22nd over with the score on 71. With 96 on the board and 29 overs gone Esson’s valuable innings ended when he clipped the ball straight into short mid-wicket’s hands. If 96 for four off 29 overs was not a particularly healthy position, it became very much worse in the next several minutes with Jack Jenkins departing in the same over as Esson, pulling a long hop straight into deep square leg’s hands. With Olly Kelly being run out for 4 and Jimmy McKillop being comprehensively bowled, the Pilgrims were 104 for seven with only 33 overs gone.
Repton appeared to have it in the bag and they visibly relaxed in the field, which may have contributed to their missing at least four catches (six in all) during the course of a match-shaping stand between Ed Kelly and Will Selfe (also making his Pilgrims debut), whose combination of sensible defence with clean hitting and vigorous running against a perspiring Repton attack saw them to an unbroken stand of 95. This vital partnership averted the prospect of humiliation and opened the door to the possibility of victory.
So Sherborne went into lunch marginally the happier side although a score of 199 would not have unduly worried a confident Repton side equipped with two county batsmen and others in good form. The run rate was not an issue. All Sherborne could do was to bowl straight and field to the best of their ability and see what might happen. Olly Kelly opened the bowling and secured a vital early wicket in his first over by clean bowling Sindrey. Now at the crease were the two county players (Paget and Batty) who batted with relative ease for a partnership of 66 before a remarkable turning point.
Firstly, with the score on 78 after 18 overs Paget was superbly run out by Atkins firing the ball into the wicketkeeper from mid-wicket, and then in the first ball of the next over Batty, seemingly well established, was comprehensively leg-before to Selfe who had come on first change. Selfe bowls medium pace with a strong shoulder action and hits the deck hard, making him difficult to drive. This and the ability to bowl gun-barrel straight throughout his 10-over stint left him with the outstanding figures of one wicket for 22 runs.
Of equal merit was Theo Cooke’s 10-over spell (two for 24) of off spin from the other end. Given his very limited experience in purveying this type of bowling (historically having been a seam bowler), his accuracy and spin were remarkable and Repton simply had no answer to him. And so the runs dried up to the extent that after Batty’s dismissal in the 18th over with the score on 78, Repton were totally becalmed and only managed to add 36 in the next 20 overs. Thus going into the final 10 overs our hosts found themselves at 127 for five needing to score at 7.2 runs per over to secure victory. Excellent swing bowling by the indefatigable Charlie Clifton maintained the pressure at this vital time so at the start of the last over, Repton at 183 for eight needed 16 to win which they found too much of a task against the persevering pace of Jonti Dampney.
In the context of this being an away match involving extensive travelling and against strong confident opposition with a proven Cricketer Cup record, this must be regarded as one of the Pilgrims’ outstanding victories. Esson (standing in for Andy Nurton as captain) made a telling contribution, firstly with his innings of 33, and then with his thoughtful field placing and handling of the bowlers. With his innings of 56 not out and 10 economic overs, Ed Kelly proved once again what an effective cricketer he is especially in adversity.
The newcomers to the side Theo Cooke and Selfe both made vital contributions under pressure and showed enough evidence of skill and temperament to suggest that they will play a significant part in future Cricketer Cup campaigns. With his height and late outswing combined with his sheer consistency (and finally not least his enthusiasm), Clifton once again proved why he is such a valuable member of the side. Charlie Cooke offered an exemplary performance of skilled and aggressive wicketkeeping which served as an inspiration to both bowlers and fielders: he must be seen as one of the outstanding keepers in the competition. However, notwithstanding the individual heroics, this was nevertheless a team effort of sustained perseverance and tenacity born of a spirit which refused to accept that the match could not be won.
Saturday July 2, v Sherborne School, at Sherborne − lost by 55 runs
Sherborne School 318-1 (G A B Ellwood 155 not out, T G Grainzevelles 120); Pilgrims 263-9.
The Pilgrims arrived at the Upper full of confidence with a young team and depth to both batting and bowling. However, Ellwood and Grainzevelles opened the batting for the School, and from the first over both seemed almost immovable and recorded centuries, to give the School a total of 318 for one after their 50 overs.
In chasing a record score you can do little more than ensure you bat out your overs, try to keep wickets in hand and see where you are with ten overs remaining. The Pilgrims did what was asked of them, completing the allocated overs without losing all their wickets and this ensured that a total of 263 was achieved, mainly down to the middle order. Had the Pilgrims batted first a score of 263 would have felt very defendable, but in this case, the Club was well adrift.
Sunday July 10, Cricketer Cup quarter-final, v Charterhouse Friars, at Sherborne – won by 13 runs
Pilgrims 162 (49.3 overs); Charterhouse Friars 149 (35.2 overs; C E S Clifton 4- 32)
It was difficult to imagine that this victory for the Pilgrims could improve on the pressure and excitement of the Repton match. However, it really was a thriller and a huge triumph for the skills, commitment, concentration and team spirit of all of those involved.
Charlie Esson elected to bat first on a wicket previously used by the Pilgrims for the School match the previous week in which the School amassed a total in excess of 300! Schoolboy cricket is somewhat different to club cricket and a strong Charterhouse side soon demonstrated that extra pace and control of line and length tested even the most accomplished batsmen. There were moments when it was simply a case of keep your left shoulder forward and say your prayers. Theo Cooke was the first to depart and the first of wicketkeeper Schofield’s five victims.
Ed Atkins looked comfortable but one sensed he was becoming frustrated when he drove at a wide ball and was the second of Schofield’s catches. It was little consolation to learn afterwards that it was in fact the seventh ball of the over. Charlie Esson departed leg-before having hit four boundaries in his hard-earned 22. The significance of the number of boundaries, which was the most compiled by a Pilgrim, was put into perspective later in the day.
Charlie Cooke was another victim caught behind for 14 and Olly Kelly was most unlucky to be run out backing up at the bowler’s end. Kelly is a classic example of just how much a cricketer can improve if you continue playing regular cricket after leaving School.
Theo Grainzevelles had completed a highly successful season as captain of the first XI and was making his debut in this competition. He made the transition effortlessly contributing significantly with bat and ball. He tends to play back to the quicker bowlers which restricts his stroke play and increases the chances of a successful leg-before appeal. However, he showed real grit and determination contributing 15 runs from 49 balls – exactly what was required at the time. Grainzevelles bowled well too and it is a long time since the Pilgrims had a genuine left arm spinner. He should be a great asset for many years and has the potential to be an outstanding cricketer. Will Selfe stands tall and drives handsomely off the front foot. He scored a fluent 17 before becoming another Schofield victim.
With the score at 122 for eight and 10 overs of the innings still left, Henry Lamb joined Andy Nurton with instructions to use the overs up. Both played sensibly pushing singles and always looking for a second run. Lamb made an excellent 25 from 28 balls which was the top score of the Pilgrims innings. Nurton was undefeated on 14 but the partnership realised 39 crucial runs and Charlie Clifton appeared briefly to face one ball in the final over.
There was limited confidence among the Pilgrim supporters where most assumed a total in excess of 180 was necessary for a chance to win the game. It has always surprised me how soon confidence evaporates in supporters at the slightest hint of difficulty. It was Jung, I think, who said we learned from our failures, success merely confirming us in our mistakes. The success at Repton confirmed this, as mistakes were kept to a minimum when Charterhouse started their innings. Hamblin, I was reliably informed by ex-Hampshire player Richard Lewis who manages the Charterhouse team, was released by Hampshire far too early. He is a gifted cricketer and soon showed his talent as a batsman by scoring 56 from 30 balls of which only two were scored in singles, the rest fours or sixes.
With the score at 75 for no wicket the prophets of doom were gathering. Nurton was introduced into the attack and with his third ball trapped the destroyer Hamblin plumb in front leg-before. When he was a very little lad I used to request Andrew to give me some practice often using the bowling machine. Even as an eight-year-old he would respond, “I am the bowling machine”. He continued to keep a tight rein on the batsmen by bowling line and length with movement in the air and off the wicket. His eight overs cost 15 runs and took two wickets.
Clifton took the full force of Hamblin’s powerful hitting with his first three overs conceding 23 runs. He then proceeded to bowl superbly to finish with impressive figures of four for 32 from nine overs. Clifton is a wholehearted Pilgrim who plays with a smile and is equally at home playing tense Cricketer Cup games or the more relaxed friendlies during Pilgrims Week. His innings against Radley last year to complete the win will long live in the memory. Will Selfe bowled particularly well in his second spell at the end of the game to finish with three for 43.
Constant reference is made about Charlie Cooke’s ability behind the stumps and yet again he was truly outstanding in this game. Two catches he made standing up were no less than brilliant. The catch he took off Selfe’s bowling defied logic – he seemed to catch it behind his right ear when everyone else was looking towards the boundary. An experienced cricketer remarked that it was the finest catch by a wicketkeeper he had ever seen. It is difficult enough to bat on a wicket of somewhat uneven pace and bounce but it is considerably more difficult to keep wicket. The other thing to say is that it has always been generally accepted that a good wicketkeeper makes a good fielding side. The fielding in this game was outstanding, especially the ground fielding in the latter stages of the game when every run was vital.
Esson proved the decision correct to elevate him to the captaincy yet again in this match. Cricket has become so scientific that the captain of today has to work hard. The ideal captain is one whose personality can win the confidence and enthusiasm of his team, and whose knowledge of cricket and seizing opportunity enable him to force victory or avoid defeat. A captain has to concentrate on making his players believe that they have the ability to succeed. Mission accomplished so far.
Sunday July 10, Twenty20 tournament − won by 8 wickets
Bryanston Butterflies 129; Pilgrims 131-2
With the Pilgrims playing Charterhouse in the Cricketer Cup quarter-final on the Upper, raising a side to play in the annual Twenty20 tournament was always going to be a challenge. We were drawn against Bryanston in the first game, and having lost the toss were sent into the field and spent most of the 20 overs chasing the ball around the outfield. The Pilgrims felt it was a “gettable” total but McKillop was out on the first ball of the innings, making the task that much more challenging, but Leach, fresh from leaving the School, illustrated how to chase down the runs without taking the risks, and when he was joined by Langly-Smith the target was within sight. Leach ran everything he could and played the big shot when needed, Langly-Smith very much played second fiddle as he illustrated his capabilities as a batsman. With four balls to spare, the runs had been chased down and it was a remarkable victory with only seven players in the field.
Canford Cygnets 179-1; Pilgrims 152 − lost by 27 runs
If Bryanston failed to take advantage of the shortage of fielders in the Pilgrims side, then Canford excelled. The bowling performance was sound. Canford were in the driving seat with a large total, but with a team of nine it was going to be even more of a challenge. Only McKillop really contributed with a glamorous 48, while others chipped in, but no one supported him enough to ensure a tight finish.
Monday July 11, v Sherborne CC, at Sherborne − drawn
Pilgrims 290-7 (E R Atkins 96, T A J Gibbs 59); Sherborne CC 261-7 (F Kotze 105)
With a 2 o’clock start in the diary, and 70 overs on the schedule, Sherborne CC took to the field to bowl at a Pilgrims team full of recent leavers − and not so recent − alike. Recovering from a fantastic Cricketer Cup victory against Charterhouse the day before, Atkins made his mark and was to be at the crease for some time. McKillop chose to face the first ball, the second, the third and the fourth – however, the first night of Cricket Week had taken its toll – nought for one.
Atkins teed off with several accomplices. Mackay-James scored an attractive 27, followed by a solid 59 by Tom Gibbs. Somewhere along the line Atkins got caught while trying to reach his century in style, but the damage was done. With a 96 scored in 65 balls by our No 2 bat, and a couple of useful knocks from those further down the order, the Pilgrims reached a respectable 290 after the 35 overs.
Leach and Francis led the attack, both claiming a wicket in their first overs. Guppy and Kotze weathered the storm, holding out for close to 80 runs before the next wicket fell. Sherborne eased off the pedal and Kotze crept slowly, and at times unsurely, towards a much coveted century on The Upper. Dawson was to add 84 to the Town’s total, but it wasn’t quite enough and they ended on 261.
Tuesday July 12, v Butterflies, at Sherborne − drawn
Pilgrims 325-7 dec (C A L Leach 72 not out, G H C Wayman 62, P F C Langly-Smith 51); Butterflies 191-7 (H Hayes 64; Leach 4 for 39)
George Wayman hit 62 from 30 balls including one enormous six, leaving the Pilgrims on 73 for one after 10 overs. Once he was out the scoring rate did slow, but this was a true team total, with the majority of the batsmen contributing to getting the Pilgrims up to a very respectable total of 325 for seven from 45 overs. Langly-Smith and Leach both hit half-centuries, the former played with little elegance but struck the ball cleanly, while Leach reminded us of his youth and cricketing ability by simply running singles and punishing the bad ball.
Charlie Clifton got the early breakthrough in the sixth over but the second wicket did not fall for a further 20 overs, and even though the score at that stage was still only 80 from 26 overs we knew that taking a further eight wickets would be challenging. Cooke rotated the bowlers and played around with some inventive and aggressive field placings, having the luxury of an enormous total behind him, but the Butterflies resistance was too strong and the draw seemed inevitable.
Wednesday July 13, v Bryanston Butterflies, at Bryanston − lost by 74 runs
Bryanston Butterflies 243 (I J Pearce 110; G A B Elwood 4 for 23); Pilgrims 169 (S G Street 4 for 45)
Bryanston scored at a positive rate with Pearce going on to score a hundred and acting as the anchor of the innings. Dampney bowled a particularly good line throughout the innings and was eventually rewarded for his hard work with two wickets, although Ellwood was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with four.
The Pilgrims started positively with Langly-Smith, followed by Cheal, batting well. An unnecessary run-out saw the departure of Cheal and the anchor that was holding the Pilgrim run chase together. With 15 overs to go, requiring 140 to win with eight wickets down, James Clifton offered sterling resistance. However, the Pilgrims eventually succumbed in disappointing style with six overs left.
Thursday July 14, v Clayesmore Cormorants, at Sherborne – lost by 3 wickets
Pilgrims 184 (A Dike 4-19); Clayesmore Cormorants 185-7 (T C Hicks 51 not out)
Archie Mackay-James was caught behind in the second over and Tom Gibbs was caught off a leading edge for three a few overs later. At the other end George Wayman proceeded to tuck into the opening bowlers and the score raced to 60 for two from 10 overs. Unfortunately he has a tendency to hit the ball in the air, which was his downfall, being dismissed for 49 (36 scored in boundaries).
This left Cooke (18) and Carline (13) to rebuild, which they set about doing. At 83 for three the game looked tightly poised, but both fell in quick succession and after a further three wickets the Pilgrims found themselves in the bizarre position of 110 for seven with only 24 overs having been bowled. Willis and Lamb put on 43 for the last wicket before the latter was bowled for a priceless 35.
Clayesmore were 19 for two, 48 for four which soon after was 87 for six with the Pilgrims right on top. Lamb and Cooke bowled 20 overs of off spin, Lamb three for 33. With Clayesmore in considerable trouble, the two Hicks brothers came to the crease. They played with evident skill and experience. Eventually 11 were needed off the last two overs. Cheal bowled a tight over, but unfortunately Fegen couldn’t quite limit them to fewer than five from the last.
Friday July 15, v Canford Cygnets, at Canford – lost by 9 wickets
Pilgrims 217 (P F C Langly-Smith 61); Canford Cygnets 218-1 (G A J Hayward 100 not out, G C Shepherd 60 not out)
We won the toss and after a week of generally high scores with plenty of in-form batsmen, duly elected to bat. The Pilgrims saw off the opening bowlers with McKillop and Langly-Smith punishing anything short of a length and rotating the strike regularly between the boundaries. At 68 from 10 overs, McKillop mistimed a cut shot to cover to depart for 34, and Langly-Smith was out for a respectable 61.
From here the Pilgrims lost regular wickets. Willis (22) and Selfe (31) provided some entertaining hitting and good batting to put on 45 for the seventh wicket. The innings finished when Selfe was bowled looking to hit the ball into Poole Harbour.
Bagnall and Nurton both bowled well and after 10 overs, the score was 35 for no wicket. However, a change in the attack brought some relief and they were able to accelerate the run rate. The first and only wicket came in the 20th over, but the Cygnets chased down the total with two overs to spare.
Thanks to everyone who played and in particular to Pete Langly-Smith for all his efforts in organising yet another splendid week of cricket.
Sunday July 24, Cricketer Cup semi-final, v Eton Ramblers, at Eton – lost by 91 runs
Eton Ramblers 264-5 (50 overs); Pilgrims 173 (44.1 overs; J H K Adams 93)
There were numerous attractions at the visit to Eton. Passing Legoland as we entered Windsor was the first. Lego is the sort of toy you buy for your kids and spend most of the time playing with yourself. You always want to construct bigger and better. The bricks of the foundation have been laid by the Pilgrims over recent years and now it is a case of building bigger and higher. Those who played in this campaign will have learned valuable lessons and gained in experience.
Another attraction was the girlfriend of the Eton captain. It did not distract him from winning the toss and electing to bat. Loudon played limited overs cricket for England and Hawk opens the innings for a leading London club side. Both played cautiously against some accurate bowling from Lamb and Adams. Progress was slow initially but as the shine departed from the ball both demonstrated their range of shots. A total of 150 was reached before Theo Grainzevelles turned a ball and Loudon was smartly stumped by Charlie Cooke. Hawk soon followed, bowled by Theo Cooke and this, allied to some outstanding ground fielding, slowed the scoring rate and allowed the Pilgrims back into the game.
Andy Nurton and Charlie Clifton bowled economically and only some hefty blows by Bruce and a supporting role from Hobson enabled the Ramblers to reach 264. It was a fine performance from the Pilgrims in which only three wides were bowled in the entire innings and one no-ball (a delivery above shoulder height). This is a remarkable transformation from many previous games where the number of extras has been in excess of 20. Those selected for the team this year are playing regular cricket and the emphasis has changed somewhat in the approach to the game.
Most home-side observers suggested 264 was slightly below par for the conditions. Certainly the Pilgrims considered the first part of the task well done. Another attraction was the inclusion of Jimmy Adams in the side. Mention must be made of the fact that he had just captained Hampshire in a four-day game and led his county in a 40-over game at Northampton the next day. Jimmy is a great ambassador for Sherborne School and an immensely talented cricketer. His unlimited enthusiasm and vitality means that whenever he is in the middle there is always a sparkle to the game. If there is a single part of his batting style which accounts for his consistent success it is the straightness of his bat.
Unfortunately there was a lack of support for his skills in the batting department in this game. Eton reached 150 for no wicket while we were 12 for three when Adams started his innings. Only Theo Grainzevelles provided real support in a partnership of 57 followed later with one of 42 with Andy Nurton. Adams was eventually given out leg-before for 93 – not a decision he would have expected to receive in the first-class game. He deserved to reach three figures and gave a fine exhibition of the art of building an innings. Credit is due to the Eton bowlers, who all bowled a good line and length with astute field placings.
Progress has definitely been made this year and the future looks bright for years to come. Charlie Esson, the captain, was quick to state: “where we have struggled this year is in batting”. We need those at the top of the order to play big innings and not lose early wickets. Only constant practice and playing will provide the confidence and techniques required to score consistently against good club bowlers.
A big thank you again must go to Sheila Harding. What a valuable member of the team she is. Both for Cup games and during cricket week she keeps an immaculate scorebook. Finally it is an embarrassing moment but one I was told to do. That is to thank Andy Nurton for the work and performances over the last ten years (five of which as captain). I know that he is keen to be considered for selection under the leadership of Esson – even if I have to double my baby-sitting duties.
Sunday July 31, v Hampshire Hogs, at Warnford − drawn
Pilgrims 309-8 (E R Atkins 108, D M Pugh 70); Hampshire Hogs 308-4 (T S G Cooke 110, T G Grainzevelles 60 not out, O J D Kelly 53, A H L Fellows 50)
The Hampshire Hogs is always an enjoyable event and this year did not disappoint. To our relief the toss was lost and we were asked to bat. Two natural stroke makers in Ed Atkins and George Bramble opened the batting. Bramble played an attractive innings and it was great to see his signature cover drive brought into action on a number of occasions. He was particularly unfortunate to fall victim to what must have been the catch of the season, one-handed at cover.
Pugh and Atkins kept the scoreboard ticking over with some excellent batting before Pugh was leg-before. Such was the strength in the Pilgrims batting that there was no concern in the ranks. The score trickled on nicely with Clifton and Southwell enjoying yet another productive late-order partnership together.
The Hogs got off to a flyer and at tea had been scoring at just under ten an over. Wickets then started to fall before Cooke and Grainzevelles built an excellent partnership. With one over to go, 15 runs were required. Grainzevelles hit the first ball for six and the third for four. With one ball to go the Hogs needed four runs for victory, but tight bowling prevented Ed Kelly from scoring the necessary runs.